10 Most Ambitious Sci‑Fi Shows, Ranked

If any genre invites big ideas, it’s science fiction. Over its history, TV series have reached for the stars in very different ways—through franchise reinvention, formal experimentation, philosophical depth, or technical innovation. Some shows remade expectations from within their franchises: WandaVision retooled the MCU for television with sitcom homages and a metafictional, character-driven narrative; Andor turned a prequel into a gritty, politically charged character study; The Leftovers used minimal science-fiction trappings to focus on emotional and philosophical consequences; and The Last of Us translated beloved games into a televisual language that could be scary, devastating, and thrilling.

Other entries aimed high by changing form or scope.

science fiction, tv series, wandavision, mcu, andor, the leftovers, the last, franchise reinvention, character study, game adaptation